Sunday, July 12, 2020

THE FIFTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME

“Words are powerful. They can create or they can destroy. So, choose your words wisely.
​Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out.” - Unknown

Human beings use words to interact and communicate with people around them. Words are powerful. A tool that expresses your intent and desires; good or bad. It portrays your identity and your level of responsibilities. People hold you accountable, respect you and tag you by your utterances and words.

Your words can engender people to have faith, hope and trust in you, or the opposite. This is because they can build or they can destroy. So, choose your words wisely. Be sure to taste your words before you spit them out. Every word always has an impact and results, positive or negative. But there is no doubt that good words are always nurtured by the right frame of your mind and the right disposition of your heart. Have the right foundation to grow your words to achieve their rightful goal and purpose.

In our first reading, the prophet Isaiah compared the effects of the word of God to raining water and snow. In as much as raining water enhances the growth of field crops, so every word that comes from God has impact and results in our lives. This was a message of consolation to the Jewish slaves in Babylon, assuring them of God’s words of promise to liberate them to return to Jerusalem to live peacefully as freed people. Hence, motivating them to be hopeful in every word that came from God amid the ongoing persecution and servitude. The reason is that His words manifest the Divine plan, will, purpose and destiny in their lives; and nothing can stand His way. His words are always efficient and impactful.

As Christians, regardless of any overwhelming circumstances beyond our control, let us take consolation and strength from God’s word. For, God does not lie or deceive us with His promises. Those who hope and trust in His words will have successes and peaceful life. 

Apostle Paul, in the second reading, reminds us about our obligation to trust God’s word. He exhorts that pains and sufferings are permitted by God in our lives to help our redemption. We are to cultivate patience to wait for eternal reward, as we continue sowing the word of God, diligently suffering for the Lord. 

Lastly, in our gospel reading, Jesus uses a parable to teach a lesson about the need to prepare our hearts and minds as a rich soil to nurture and grow the word of God like the seeds. It motivates us to willingly accept and positively respond to the word of the Lord. As Christians,it is incumbent on us to enable the word of God make impact in our lives, families and societies.

It is needful to shape and correct the “rocky,” the “thorny” and the “weedy” paths of our lives. This includes working on our addiction to evil habits and tendencies, and cleansing our hearts filled with hatred, jealousy, fear, greed and inordinate desires for worldly vanities and interests. Remember you are the product of your words. Allow the word of God to discover who you are. 

The WORD is God.
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Stay Healthy…. PRAY… Keep the faith… Enjoy the SUN…
Let THE WORD lead…
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Fr. Emmanuel

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